The Ferry Ride

by
HUDA Ansari

She was dressed in a black summer dress. One could see her full warm pink bikini staring out of the low-cut neckline of her dress. She had gentle features, long slender arms, and gorgeous legs. She had thick, black curly hair. Her fair skin glowed against the darkness of her dress. She was what one would call pretty in every sense of the word.

He wasn’t much to look at in contrast. He was tall and well-built, but that was all there was to say about him. His features were unremarkable, his personality undistinguishable in a crowd. He had swimming trunks and a pale pink t-shirt on. They seemed dress for a day at the beach, which was the only logical conclusion, given that they were on a ferry to a remote island known for its lovely beaches.

As the journey went over the rough sea, she sat beside him, looking around. She didn’t have any reading material on her. The view was not one which hadn’t seen before. She tried to nudge him for attention, but he sat engrossed by the view either ignoring her presence or oblivious of it.

She was bored. She looked around, until her eyes fixated on the carat ring on her delicate ring finger. It was obviously the latest piece of value she had received. She stared at the flawless diamond as her thoughts wandered off a different tangent.

She smiled as she remembered the first time they met. There weren’t exactly sparks, but it was fun. She then thought of all they had been through together, the good times and the bad. She remembered all their fights, the sacrifices she made for him, the times when he neglected her. Her smile faded as she thought of the time he proposed to her.

The ferry jolted. He glanced over at her. She was still lost in her thoughts as she carelessly fiddled with her ring.

She didn’t have to say yes. But she couldn’t say no. She did love him; he was practically like a habit now. She had been with him so long. What could she have done if not say yes? Did he propose to her because he didn’t what else to do either?

He did not treat her right. She knew that. She deserved better. She knew that too.

Had she made a mistake? Had she lost herself to be with him? Was it okay to have to change herself to be loved by him? Why did she put herself out there for him? Was she with him because she was scared of losing him?

The ferry was slowing down. The island was close-by.

What if there could be someone else who’d treat her right? Was he even the second best?

The ferry came to a halt.

Did he love her?

The doors to the cabin were opened.

Did she love him?

“Ready to go?” he asked.

She hesitantly smiled.

“Yes.”